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Community subsector members win big in mediation

HEU members in the community subsector have won big as mediation talks between the multi-union Community Subsector Health Association and the Health Employers Association of BC have yielded significant gains including enrollment in the Municipal Pension Plan, completion of the job evaluation plan and LTD benefits for workers whose disability predates the current plan.

The three per cent comparability and standardization monies for 2002 and 2003 totaling approximately $16.5 million will fund the three initiatives.

Municipal Pension Plan Effective January 1, 2004 eligible community health workers will be enrolled in the Municipal Pension Plan. A joint committee will meet in the next few weeks to deal with the transition from Group RRSP plans to the Municipal Plan.

Job Evaluation Plan Two days of mediation/arbitration are set for April 28 and 29 with arbitrator Stephen Kelleher to resolve outstanding job evaluations plan issues with a decision on May 2.

Implementation of the plan will be effective the first pay period after June 1, 2003.

For the first time, all community subsector workers will have a standardized plan and process for dealing with job descriptions, classifications.

Classification Disputes A fund of $2 million dollars is earmarked for anticipated wage increases. To deal with all classification disputes, Kelleher will chair an intensive resolution process to be completed by July 1, 2003.

Implementation of the new wage rate is effective on the first pay period after July 31st or earlier where agreement is reached.

Wage Protection No employee’s wage will be reduced as a result of implementation of the new job evaluation plan.

Long-Term Disability Benefits Before March 31, 2001, the long-term disability plan did not provide disabled workers with any benefits after two years. Effective April 1, 2003, there will be a fund of $700,000 to provide rehabilitation or supplementary income benefits to these workers.